From BeAtlanta.com:

EARLY WEEZER FANS REJOICE - the sound we all know and love is back and here to stay in the Atl. The face of Atlanta geek rock is...KOCHIS (its pronounced Coaches, not co-cheeze) - beatlanta caught Kochis the past Friday at the Masquerade. It was a real good time and they are a real cool band. Describing themselves as geek rock, Kochis could be grouped with the likes of Weezer (more their early stuff - which most everyone seems to like way better anyway) and early Green Day, Guster, etc. They don't have a problem setting themselves apart though. Mixing a pinch more punk in the mix than the above mentioned bands, they have a unique and fun take on pop punk and geek rock. Kochis is Jason Kochis (where they got the name - and apparently its the most mispronounced band name ever) on Guitar, Corey Jones on drums and Rick Bouchard on bass. Rick added he just tries to play bass and makes it look like he knows what he is doing - I think he's being hard on himself. They say they formed in a galaxy far far away when Princess Leia (is that how you spell that) was coming back from buying space groceries. They say they know each other pretty well and found each other on craigslist...that must be space craigslist.

These guys took the stage and immediately rocked out. With a fast tempo and sorta choppy, melodic sometimes punk style vocals, you can tell these guys love to have fun. The music made you want to dance and the sound made you want to listen. The lyrics were quirky and sometimes funny. We asked them to describe geek rock in their own words...We always stumble through an answer whenever someone asks this question. The best answer is just to listen to our music. Or better yet, come to a show! Sounds good. I came to a show and I guess these guys fit the build...they have the sound, the style and the sense of humor one would expect to find in a geek rock band...I mean, they did just quote star wars :)- and Jason even looks like Rivers Cuomo. All joking aside I say these guys are a sound to watch and I recommend heading out to one of their shows.

Jason from the band had this to say about geek rock and geek rock in Atlanta...I can only speak for myself, but I'm a bit of a geek who likes to turn up my distortion pedal, rock out, and sing catchy songs about girls with glasses, video games, Star Wars, comic books, and other nerdy stuff. I'm heavily influenced by early Weezer, The Rentals, Ozma, Nerf Herder, and old Green Day. If you have any interest in these kind of things you'd probably like our music. Are we the Wikipedia definition of Geek Rock? Probably. We at least wear black rimmed glasses...tlanta is a great place for bands. Geek Rock bands I'm not so sure. There are a few really great ones here like The Warm Fuzzies and El Scorcho that keep the candle burning. Other than that, I haven't found any other bands that play the style of music we do. Rick had quite a different view of the Atl scene, one we don't necessarily agree with, or atleast are helping to change...Atlanta is a musical wasteland, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, we've had some awesome support from people close to the band. But as a general rule, if you're not country, Lynard Skynard or hip hop, no one cares. Unless you're lucky enough to have the radio stations force-feeding your songs 15,000 times a day to people who work in an office somewhere...then people might start to notice you.

Thats why beatlanta is here to stay. To change that particular view of the scene. We think there are a ton of good bands coming out of Atlanta; they just need some exposure. Kochis has a 5 track E.P out that you can find online and sold at their shows and are currently seeking the right place to record a full length. If you recommend a place find Kochis on myspace and shoot them a message. These guys have the same view of the music industry that seems to be floating around now a days; Corey saying that Its uncertain - definitely changing - and something I hope to be a part of in no certain terms. Rick had this to say about it: Well, I think I've elaborated quite a bit on how I feel, but I never turn down an opportunity to speak my mind. I think the music industry sucks. I think 97%(or more) of the music today is total garbage. The funny part is, it's the listener's fault. They keep buying, so it's still for sale...in mass quantities. There are some great bands out there, but very few people have heard of them. It's cool though, because it keeps the bands humble & thankful for your support. God knows we don't need any more Lars Ulrichs running around. I definitely agree - Lars Ulrich is a moron to say the least - god I hate that guy.

Check out some better sound quality at Kochis' myspace page (listen while you read the rest of this story). Kochis has so far only played in Atlanta and loves to play the Masquerade citing the history of the place as the main reason...The staff is cool & we've grown up watching our idols do everything short of destroying the stage, so it's kind of surreal to play there. You get this feeling when you walk onto the stage & you know you'd better play your heart out because that place is legendary. Makes you feel like you don't deserve to be there. It's pretty cool. Keeping with the tradition of our site the guys had this to say about file sharing...Rick had this to say...I think it's fine. The only people it hurts is the labels...and fuck them. They're responsible for all the crap that is the mainstream. They should pay for their mistakes by way of us illegally downloading the few songs we actually want to hear. Always make sure you buy lots of merch at a band's show, though. That way you're not hurting the band...just the label. Fuck them. Corey this...Only good things can come from file sharing and the industry coming to terms with the fact that its going to be around for a long, long time. Beatlanta couldn't agree more.

SUPPORT KOCHIS; BUY THEIR MERCH; GO TO THEIR SHOWS - its a good time and fun music. Find Kochis playing at Tasty World in Athens on Thursday, May 14th and at Lenny's Bar here in the Atl on Friday, May 29th. Find more pics of Kochis in beatlanta's more pics section...and more video of them at beatlanta's youtube channel. --ak